COAST

Darius Devas  |  Rusty Miller  |  Potts  |  Andrew Wells - Grown Surfboards

28 October - 6 December 2015

Gearing up for another fabulous summer in paradise, Northern Rivers Community Gallery (NRCG) invites visitors to explore the pure uncomplicated world of COAST!

COAST is a group exhibition that celebrates and explores surfing culture through the eyes of prominent local arts and craft professionals, Darius Devas, Rusty Miller, Potts and Andrew Wells from Grown Surfboards. The works showcased in this exhibition provide a myriad of perspectives on surfing, its culture, connection to the raw force of the ocean and wider social politics that impact on the surfing lifestyle.

Within by Byron Bay local, Darius Devas, is an impressionistic, filmic exploration of the ocean, narrated by Guy Pearce. Inspired by the tragic suicide and loss of a childhood friend and close surfing buddy, Darius had to wait for over a decade for the technology to exist that could translate his creative idea into reality. The result, Within, is a stunning film shot entirely in slow motion that creates a space to linger, in vivid detail, on nature, the raw force of the ocean and the interconnection of all life.

A collection of images by another Byronite, Rusty Miller, presents an intriguing photographic history reflecting on how the culture, politics and style of the late 60s and 70s influenced the idyllic surfing lifestyle, particularly on the North Coast of NSW. The North Coast became a mecca for surfers epitomising freedom, the joys of country living and the illusive perfect wave. There was more going on in this era than the debate about the essence of surfing; the Vietnam War and conscription, revolutions in music and the blooming of alternative life styles were also poured into the mix which helped shape a revolutionary era in surfboard design and surfing culture.

Lennox Head local, Andrew Wells from Grown Surfboards, presents a selection of exquisitely crafted, hollow timber surfboards, blending traditional boat building techniques with modern surfboard design. Grown Surfboards evolved from Andrew’s desire to produce surfboards that were more sustainable than the typical foam surfboard. Combining his love of woodworking and passion for surfing, Andrew creates individually hand crafted artisan surfboards from plantation grown and recycled timbers that are functional, beautiful, ethical and sustainable.
 
Being a ‘saltwater child’ of the 70s with a background in graphics, Potts’ mixed media artworks are inspired by the beach, ocean and surf culture. Incorporating assemblage, screen-printing and painting, Potts, references iconic Pop Cultural forms and imagery applied to the surface of re-assembled salvaged timber, lending the work a weathered but audaciously innovative quality reminiscent of a laid-back idyllic coastal lifestyle.

Launch Event: Thursday 29 October 2015 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Exhibition to be opened by special guests Mike Jahn, Festival Director - Byron Bay Surf Festival accompanied by the 'Soren Carlbergg Trio' playing smooth low-key surf grooves for the event.  

Complimentary wine and nibbles served.